Free non-vascularized fibular graft for treatment of large bone defect around the elbow in pediatric patients

A novel non-invasive electromagnetic extendable intercalary endoprosthesis: a proof-of-concept study

Introduction: Femur and tibia are the most commonly affected sites for primary malignant bone tumors in children. The wide resection of the tumor frequently requires the physis to be resected. The normal growth of the unaffected limb will result in a significant limb length discrepancy at skeletal maturity. To compensate for this resulting LLD, different generations of extendible endoprostheses have been developed. Non-invasive extendable prostheses eliminate the need for surgical procedures and general anesthesia, enabling gradual and painless lengthening. Currently available non-invasive extendable prostheses focus on joint reconstruction, and no case series analysis of intercalary non-invasive extendable prosthesis has been reported. Therefore, we have designed a novel non-invasive electromagnetic extendable intercalary endoprosthesis. Methods: In vitro mechanical experiments and in vivo animal experiments were conducted. Results: In vitro experiments have confirmed that the prosthetics can extend at a constant rate, increasing by 4.4 mm every 10 min. The average maximum extension force during prosthetic elongation can reach 1306N. In animal in vivo experiments, the extension process is smooth and non-invasive, and the sheep is in a comfortable state. Discussion: The in vitro and in vivo animal studies provide evidence to support the extension reliability, laying the foundation for future large-scale validation experiments.

Management of Post-osteomyelitic Large Ulna Defect in a Pediatric Patient

Osteomyelitic sequelae in forearm pose challenges in management. Bone resorption leading to gap nonunions is further difficult to manage. We present a case of post-osteomyelitic ulna defect of 16 cm in a 6-year-old boy managed by non-vascularized fibular grafting with simultaneous correction of radius deformity and its functional outcome after 1 year.

Treatment of pediatric tibial shaft nonunion using ipsilateral free non-vascularized fibular graft

BACKGROUND

Although tibial shaft fractures are the third most common long bone fractures in children after the forearm and femur, nonunion of these fractures are rare in the pediatric population.

CASE REPORT

Despite seldom seen, tibial nonunion is very complex and it is also a devastating complication of tibial fracture especially when infected. Numerous methods have been employed to treat pediatric tibial nonunion, but there is no consensus. Here, we present a case of a child with right tibial shaft fracture nonunion. We treated this patient with ipsilateral free non-vascularized fibular graft.

RESULTS

Both the nonunion site and fibular donor site united well with good function in the injured extremity and no adverse events.

CONCLUSION

We recommend the use of ipsilateral free non-vascularized fibular graft for the treatment of pediatric tibial shaft nonunion.

Intercalary frozen autografts for reconstruction of bone defects following meta-/diaphyseal tumor resection at the extremities

Background

For patients with malignant limb tumors, salvage surgery can be achieved using endoprosthesis or biological reconstructions like allograft or autograft. In carefully selected patients, resected bone can be recycled after sterilization using methods like autoclaving, irradiation, pasteurization or freezing with liquid nitrogen. We evaluated the clinical outcome and complications of malignant limb tumors treated with intercalary resection and frozen autograft reconstruction.

Methods

We reviewed 33 patients whose malignant bone tumors were treated by wide resection and reconstruction with recycling liquid nitrogen-treated autografts between 2006 and 2017. Limb function, bone union at the osteotomy site and complications were evaluated. Functional outcome was assessed using the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) scoring system.

Results

The cohort comprised 16 males and 17 females, with a mean age of 35.4 years (14–76 years). The most common tumor was osteosarcoma (7 cases). Tumors were located in the humerus (5), ulna (1), femur (10) and tibia (17). The mean follow-up was 49.9 months (range 12–127 months). Of the 33 patients, 16 remained disease-free, and 3 were alive with disease. The mean size of the defect after tumor resection was 11.6 cm (range 6–25 cm). Bone union was achieved in 32 patients, with a mean union time of 8.8 months (range 4–18 months). Complications included 1 graft nonunion, 2 infections (1 superficial, 1 deep infection), 1 leg length discrepancy, 2 graft fractures and 3 local recurrences. The mean MSTS score was 87.2% (range 70–100%).

Conclusion

Liquid nitrogen-treated tumor-bearing autograft is an effective option for biological reconstruction after meta-/diaphyseal tumor resection of long bones. This method has excellent clinical outcomes and is especially recommended for patients with no severe osteolytic bone tumors.

Osteochondral Allograft Reconstruction of a Pediatric Distal Humerus Fracture with Articular Bone Loss: A Case Report

CASE

A right hand dominant 10-year-old girl presenting with an open right distal humerus fracture dislocation involving complete medial column bone loss and a >50% trochlea defect was reconstructed with a size-matched, fresh distal humerus osteochondral allograft. Successful bony integration and functional elbow range of motion were achieved.

CONCLUSION

A paucity of literature exists to guide the treatment of pediatric distal humerus fractures with significant bone loss. Despite complications associated with osteochondral allografts, they provide a reasonable treatment option to preserve elbow motion in children with unreconstructible intra-articular distal humerus fractures to avoid arthrodesis.

Reconstruction of traumatic tubular bone defects using vascularized fibular graft

Large segmental bone defects due to major trauma constitute a major challenge for the orthopaedic surgeon, especially when combined with poor or lost soft tissue envelope. Vascularized fibular transfer is considered as the gold standard for the reconstruction of such defects of the extremities due to its predictable vascular pedicle, long cylindrical shape, and tendency to hypertrophy, and resistance to infection. Vascularized bone grafts remain viable throughout the healing period and are capable of inducing rapid graft union without prolonged creeping substitution, osteogenesis and hypertrophy at the reconstruction site, and fight with infection. The fibular graft can be transferred solely, or as a composite flap including muscle, subcutaneous tissue, skin and even a nerve segment in order to reconstruct both bone and soft tissue components of the injury at single stage operation. Such a reconstruction can even be performed in the presence of local infection, since vascularized bone and adjacent soft tissue components enhances the blood flow at the traumatized zone, allowing for the delivery of antibiotics and immune components to the infection site. In an effort to preserve growth potential in pediatric patients; the fibular head and proximal growth plate can be included to the graft. This practice also enables to reconstruct the articular ends of various bones, including distal radius and proximal ulna. Apart from defect reconstruction, vascularized fibular grafts also proved to be a reliable in treating atrophic nonunions, reconstruction of osteomyelitic bone segments. These grafts are superior to alternative reconstructive techniques, as bone grafts with intrinsic blood supply lead to higher success rates in reconstruction and accelerate the repair process at the injury site in cases where blood supply to the injury zone is defective, poor soft tissue envelope, and local infection at the trauma zone.

Management of bone defects due to infected non-union or chronic osteomyelitis with autologous non-vascularized free fibular grafts

OBJECTIVES

Bone defects as a result of infected non-union or chronic osteomyelitis are difficult to manage. The purpose of this study was to present the results of treatment of bone defects of < 6 cm due to a previous infected non-union or chronic osteomyelitis with autologous non-vascularized fibular grafts in a 2-stage surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The records of patients who were treated with autologous non-vascularized fibular grafts for bone defects of < 6 cm due to a previous infected non-union or chronic osteomyelitis between 2008 and 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Primary complete bone union was the primary outcome. Time until fracture union, and return to normal daily activities or previous work were recorded. Radiographs were evaluated for graft hypertrophy as well as for stress fracture and other complications.

RESULTS

A total of 27 cases were included. The mean length of the bone defects was 4.4 cm (range 2 - 6 cm). Complete union and healing occurred in 25/27 patients (primary success rate of 92.6%). Non-union was present in two patients with suboptimal soft tissue condition 10 months after surgery, one patient was subsequently treated with a vascularized free fibular graft from the contralateral fibula, and the other patient was treated with distraction osteogenesis, bone union was achieved after the second surgery. Average time to return to normal daily activity after surgery was 7.82 months (6 ~ 11 months). Graft hypertrophy occurred in 15 cases 15/25 (60%) two years post-surgery. There were no other surgical or postoperative complications.

CONCLUSIONS

With careful evaluation of soft-tissue condition surrounding bone defect, management of infected bone defects with autologous non-vascularized fibular grafts technique has a high success rate with few complications.

Osteosynthesis of Postosteomyelitic Forearm Defects in Children Using a Modified Bone Grafting Technique: The Fibular Intramedullary Bridging Bone and Additional Grafting (FIBBAG)

Background: There are many options to treat post osteomyelitic gaps in forearm bones. We report a pediatric series with postosteomyelitic forearm segmental defects reconstructed with fibular only graft: the non vascular fibular intramedullary bridging bone and additional grafting (FIBBAG) and the results thereof.

Methods: Outcomes in 8 patients treated with fibular strut and overlay matchstick grafts were retrospectively assessed. The clinical results were expressed as forearm shortening, range of motion at elbow and wrist joint. The radiological evaluation included time to union, presence of fractures and recurrence of infection, if any.

Results: The average patient age was 6 years (range, 3–12 years). The radius was involved in 6 and ulna in 2. Union occurred in all patients. The average intraoperative gap to be spanned was 5.86 cm (range, 3–14 cm). The average time for union was 6.63 months (range, 2–14 months). Two patients required additional bone grafting procedures. No graft fatigues/fractures were noted in available follow up. There was no recurrence of infection in any case. A positive ulnar variance was seen in 3 patients at follow up. Forearm shortening was a major cosmetic limitation following the procedure.

Conclusions: Fibular strut and additional bone grafting (FIBBAG) is one of the viable options for reconstruction of post osteomyelitic forearm defects in children with low procedural complication rate.